Where memories are created
English Ivy (Hedera helix) and super climbers they are. Care is a snap so you can plant it in distant and hard to reach areas without worrying about maintenance. They prefer shade although ours grow in pots and get full sun in the summer and do fine if you keep them watered. But beware these guys climb any and every object they encounter. You could set loose a plague of ivy if you don’t tame it! And, we don’t want angry neighbors.
Published by Amy on Oct 16, 2018
Carefree Black-Eyed-Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) is a North American native species in the sunflower family. They can grow to over 3 feet tall and have daisy-like flowers with sultry dark ‘eyes’ and brightly colored petals which emanate pure joy. Each year I always look forward to where they will pop up. We currently have a bunch growing along a path in the backyard. Oh, what a glorious color they provide to the garden!
Published by Amy on Aug 14, 2018
The Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is one of the few hydrangeas native to the United States. This is a cousin to the traditional hydrangea and it’s the only hydrangea with cone-shaped flower clusters. In summer, it flowers in a creamy white and the white flowers fade to a pinkish-brown in fall. But the plant’s distinguishing characteristic is its oak leaf shaped foliage. The leathery leaves are large and turn purple, orangey-bronze in the fall just like the tree. I forgot to cut it back in the winter and all the heads are practically on the ground from the weight as you can see pictured. This plant thrives very well with little attention, little water (unlike its cousin!) and can tolerate full sun or full shade.
Published by Amy on Jul 31, 2018
Helianthus annuus “Delta Sunflower.” These grow along highway 5 in Central Valley in the sweltering heat as cars whip pass them. Every time I drive to Los Angeles I’m amazed at how they survive. If they can survive that environment, they would probably do well in the cottage garden with a cooler climate. I bought 3 seedlings to try and snapped this picture today with its first summer bloom! The Delta Sunflower is an ancestor of the domesticated sunflower and is native to the Western states. These bloom like crazy for 3-4 months into the fall on many-branched stems, unlike the traditional sunflower. Heat and drought tolerant, deer resistant and not fussy about soil. I already want more.
Published by Amy on Jul 3, 2018
Hosta or plantain lilies. These plants originate from Asia and for centuries have been used in Japanese garden architecture for its beauty. Hostas are currently the most popular perennial in the U.S. with literally thousands (I came across 6,000!) of varieties that an entire garden could be devoted to growing this alone! Hostas are shade-tolerant, low maintenance, quite forgiving, incredibly elegant, and quite possibly habit-forming. We love them at The Cottage but they are a magnet for the banana slugs so keep it baited.
Published by Amy on Jun 19, 2018
The name Rhododendron comes from the Greek words “rodon” which means “rose” and “dendron” which means “tree,” hence Rose Tree. Rhododendrons are referred to as the ‘King of Shrubs’ since they are regarded by many as the best flowering evergreen plants for the temperate landscape. These Rhodies pictured are 72 years old and the tree must be at least 9 feet tall. Oh, and what a beaut she is! Go, Rhody! Go, Rhody!
Published by Amy on May 22, 2018
Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) an evergreen twining vine that blooms throughout spring and summer. The pinkish-white star-shaped flowers have a mouth-watering fragrance. Ours wraps around the front gate so when guests walk in, they get a whiff of the sweet aroma. We also have one growing around the back gate, and that one is loaded too! The vine is very hardy and some say invasive but I don’t mind that it takes over. Too bad this picture is not scratch n sniff, yes? 🤤
Published by Amy on May 8, 2018
Wild California Azaleas are visually compelling shrubs that fill the air with a delightful sweet and spicy clove-like fragrance. They grow along streams and in damp openings of the Coast Redwood forests. Nearby Memorial Park even named one of their campgrounds, ‘Azalea Flat’ as they grow prolific here.
My mom said my great-grandmother often talked about how these were growing everywhere in Loma Mar. As a girl, she would walk to school and smell their heavenly fragrance. We were fortunate enough to find a few to put at The Cottage in front of the gate so guests can enjoy the sweet whiff. It’s nice to keep some of the memories alive.
Published by Amy on Apr 17, 2018
Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) is a five to eight foot California native shrub with long showy vivid, crimson flowers. This shrub likes sun to partial shade and is very drought tolerant in coastal gardens. We planted this cheery shrub in front of a kitchen window by an indoor seating area where guests can enjoy. It’s in full bloom this time of year and right now there is one very busy green-breasted hummingbird who seems to be hogging the whole thing! Although this plant does fruit in the fall for us (I just discovered that), the berries are not actually tasty, so we leave them to the birds and squirrels to nibble on.
Published by Amy on Apr 10, 2018
Asparagus ferns are popular because of their full, lush appearance. They are normally found in a hanging basket, decorating the deck or patio in summer and helping to clean indoor air in winter. Although, the asparagus fern is not really a fern at all but part of the Lily family and related to the popular vegetable. When growing asparagus ferns outside, place them in a part sun to shady location for best foliage growth. Tiny, inconspicuous, pea-like, fragrant white flowers bloom in late spring to early summer. Flowers are followed by small red berries which ripen by fall. They are among the more drought tolerant plants for containers and that’s a real advantage since pots dry out so quickly. This one pictured is about 6 years old and all I do is occasionally give it a drink. It’s a win, win!
Published by Amy on Mar 13, 2018
